Page 496 - The Book Thief

If I ever write something and finish it, Liesel said, Ill show you.

That would be nice.

When the mayors wife left, Liesel watched her walk up Himmel Street. She
watched her yellow dress and her black shoes and her porcelain legs.

At the mailbox, Rudy asked, Was that who I think it was?

Yes.

Youre joking.

She gave me a present.

As it turned out, Ilsa Hermann not only gave Liesel Meminger a book that day.

She also gave her a reason to spend time in the basementher favorite place, first
with Papa, then Max. She gave her a reason to write her own words, to see that
words had also brought her to life.

Dont punish yourself, she heard her say again, but there would be punishment
and pain, and there would be happiness, too. That was writing.

In the night, when Mama and Papa were asleep, Liesel crept down to the
basement and turned on the kerosene lamp. For the first hour, she only watched
the pencil and paper. She made herself remember, and as was her habit, she did
not look away.

Schreibe, she instructed herself. Write.

After more than two hours, Liesel Meminger started writing, not knowing how
she was ever going to get this right. How could she ever know that someone
would pick her story up and carry it with him everywhere?

No one expects these things.

They dont plan them.